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There can`t be many more satisfying jobs than mine….a gardener working in a garden centre. At this time of year its busy,busy,busy either serving customers, giving them advice or locating plants and other garden items for them. Thats when I`m not doing a hundred and one other things of course. The busier the better for me though I start all over again once I get home and go out into my own garden. Its so nice to be able to give good advice to a customer and send them home happy. Its even better when they come back again and tell you that the advice really worked and that they are really pleased, it makes the job even more worthwhile. The centre is situated in a quiet country lane and sometimes when there is a brief lull I stand outside just to take in the surroundings. We get all sorts of wildlife passing through, deer, squirrels, foxes and once I saw a cock pheasant casually stroll pass the entrance as if he were a customer, it was so funny!

This evening it took me 40 mins to water the plants. I`m sure many of you have gardens that are so terribly dry at the moment so you`ll understand….my soil is like dust and if it doesn`t rain soon I`m worried there be some casualties despite my best efforts.

Changing the subject again….My son has announced that he is going to marry his Brazillian girlfriend in October…we are thrilled for him that at last he is going to settle down. He`s 34 in a couple of weeks and I was starting to think he would stay single. He has to get married in Brazil first then again here. He`s sorting out all the legal stuff at the moment which is very complicated, expensive and slow. AND all the relevant paperwork must be lodged with the Brazillian authorities by September.

Anyway, I have a few photos…some of which are new plants that fell into my trolley in various garden centres, I know it happens to all of you too…lol!

North-facing border getting a bit of evening sun

Rose Laura Ford, a lovely rose that you can rely on to put on a show and stay healthy. Its a patio climber and I would recommend it to anyone.

One of the plants that `fell` into my trolley (lol!) Lavendula Hidcote. I decided to plant it in a pot as I don`t have room in a sunny border.

Geranium phaeum Samobor, another new one. It has striking leaves.

I wanted another Brunnera Jack Frost but had to make do with Looking Glass instead. I`ve read that its just as good.

I`ve always fancied a white Aquilegia so I picked up this one, Dragonfly, at work.

Acer Beni-Maiko. Its small but very pretty.

The top of the garden before the veg plot which is the other side of the arch.

How exciting Labdancer, Congratulations to your Son and his girlfriend hope it all goes well for them.
No wonder you have some lovely plants - I`m sure most of my wages would get left at work if I worked in a nursery.
I`ve just bought Brunnera `Mr Morse` which is a little like the colouring of `Jack Frost` but its only tiny at the moment so can`t really tell.

Jacquie and kfunsters...I wish we could go to Brazil for the wedding but sadly it won`t be possible for a number of reasons. However they will most likely have to marry here as well but if they don`t need to go through it again we`ll have some sort of celebration when they arrive back here. :o)

Oh, Sandra, what lovely news about your sons's wedding, you must be so happy! Sounds like he needs to get that paperwork sorted out soon though. I love the Rose 'Laura Ford' and the 'Dragonfly' Aquilegias are great, they just flower on and on! : o ))

I would have been happier if I worked in a garden centre :((((((
I hope you have some rain soon. We've had a few showers but they haven't made any diference to the soil. It's still dusty and dry about half an inch down and also under the shrubs etc. We need a lot more - but I was getting used to the warm weather. We've had a few wet summers in a row. I don't want another one. I only water the plants that are wilting. Can't do the rest - they have to manage.

I like your alternative to Jack Frost, it does look rather similar. TT would like a piece of my Jack Frost but I am unsure how to divide it. It is still in flower but is looking very leggy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've made a note of your recommended patio rose as I will need one for a large 'tub' I hope to plant up soon :)